What impact did the pursuit of an aggressive foreign policy have on the Italian people, 1922-39?

What impact did the pursuit of an aggressive foreign policy have on the Italian people, 1922-39? After being appointed Prime Minister by the King Victor Emmanuel in October 1922, Benito Mussolini went about establishing a firm dictatorship. Soon after he was declared PM, he enforced an aggressive foreign policy that would have major effects, both positive and negative, on the Italian people. Through his foreign policy, Mussolini wanted to make Italy a respectable, powerful country. He wanted to dominate the Mediterranean by "breaking free of the bars" that Britain and France had enforced and part of Africa, especially Abyssinia, believing that land was available for Italy to expand into and increase its Empire. Mussolini's aggressive foreign policy first became clear during the Corfu incident of August 1923. After heavily bombarding the Greek island and killing at least 15 civilians, the Italians were ordered to withdraw by the League of Nations and Greece were made to apologise and pay the reparations of 50 million lira. With the Italians withdrawing from Corfu, they had not gained any land however, it was still seen as a victory by the Italian people and it meant that Mussolini had gained more support to launch further attacks in the future. Mussolini's aggressiveness again continued into 1935 where he launched his attack on Abyssinia, the main reasons behind it being to

  • Word count: 2795
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Historical and Philosophical studies
Access this essay